Opening night gala for S.F. Opera's 92nd season

September 5, 2014Updated: September 6, 2014 8:39am

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya stand on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. Molodetskaya wore a gown by Vasily Vein. less

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya stand on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Guests check in at the top of the stairs at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Guests check in at the top of the stairs at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

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Al Knoll and Theresa Teuma share a laugh as they take photos for one another as they arrive to San Francisco City Hall for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Al Knoll and Theresa Teuma share a laugh as they take photos for one another as they arrive to San Francisco City Hall for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi stand near the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. On opening night the audience was entertained with Norma as sung by Sondra Radvanovsky. less

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi stand near the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. On ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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David Dolby helps his mother Dagmar Dolby out of their car with his wife Natasha Dolby as they arrive to San Francisco City Hall for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. less

David Dolby helps his mother Dagmar Dolby out of their car with his wife Natasha Dolby as they arrive to San Francisco City Hall for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Dr. Alisa Burgess-Blajwas reached out for her husband's hand upon arriving at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Dr. Alisa Burgess-Blajwas reached out for her husband's hand upon arriving at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

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Bill Fisher adjusts his bow tie before taking photos with his wife Sako Fisher and Nancy Bechtle as they arrive to the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Bill Fisher adjusts his bow tie before taking photos with his wife Sako Fisher and Nancy Bechtle as they arrive to the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Deborah Mueller poses in a custom buttercup yellow Azadeh gown in front of City Hall after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Deborah Mueller poses in a custom buttercup yellow Azadeh gown in front of City Hall after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Komal Shah wears a Heeramaneck & Sons necklace at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Komal Shah wears a Heeramaneck & Sons necklace at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Komal Shah poses in an Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Komal Shah poses in an Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Stephanie Lawrence walks down the stairs at San Francisco City Hall after arriving for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She accessorized her Valentino gown with her mother's vintage Bulgari necklace. less

Stephanie Lawrence walks down the stairs at San Francisco City Hall after arriving for the San Francisco Opera season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She accessorized her Valentino gown ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Deepa Paknianathan stands in an Andrew Gn gown with Alexander McQueen accessories after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Deepa Paknianathan stands in an Andrew Gn gown with Alexander McQueen accessories after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Afsaneh Akhtari arrives at City Hall in a black Oscar de la Renta gown for the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Afsaneh Akhtari arrives at City Hall in a black Oscar de la Renta gown for the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Jennifer Bienaime wears a Carolina Herrera gown at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Jennifer Bienaime wears a Carolina Herrera gown at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Marilyn Cabak arrives at City Hall in a tomato red Oscar de la Renta gown for the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She carried a Judith Leiber tomato clutch.

Marilyn Cabak arrives at City Hall in a tomato red Oscar de la Renta gown for the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She carried a Judith Leiber tomato clutch.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Marilyn Cabak arrives at City Hall in a tomato red Oscar de la Renta gown carrying a Judith Leiber tomato clutch at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Marilyn Cabak arrives at City Hall in a tomato red Oscar de la Renta gown carrying a Judith Leiber tomato clutch at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Timothy Blackburn poses in a tuxedo with a yellow embroidered vest on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.Tucked in his pocket is a 1897 Patek Philippe pocket watch. less

Timothy Blackburn poses in a tuxedo with a yellow embroidered vest on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.Tucked in ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Timothy Blackburn shows the time on his 1897 Patek Philippe pocket watch after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.Tucked in his pocket is a 1897 Patek Philippe pocket watch. less

Timothy Blackburn shows the time on his 1897 Patek Philippe pocket watch after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.Tucked in his pocket is a 1897 Patek Philippe ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Carolyn Chandler poses for a photograph at City Hall in a black floral Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Carolyn Chandler poses for a photograph at City Hall in a black floral Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Donna Sachet wears a Grecian-inspired gown standing next to her companion Richard Sablatura after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Donna Sachet wears a Grecian-inspired gown standing next to her companion Richard Sablatura after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Sako Fisher stands in a champagne Oscar de la Renta gown at the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Sako Fisher stands in a champagne Oscar de la Renta gown at the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Renata Anderson poses for a photo in a navy Oscar de la Renta gown in front of City Hall after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Renata Anderson poses for a photo in a navy Oscar de la Renta gown in front of City Hall after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Teresa Medearis marvels at the venue at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Teresa Medearis marvels at the venue at the 2014 Opera Ball at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., September 5, 2014.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

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Opera Guild President Karen Kubin poses in in C.L. Greene before the start of the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Opera Guild President Karen Kubin poses in in C.L. Greene before the start of the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Whitney Wheeler stands in an Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She carries a pink Judith Leiber clutch.

Whitney Wheeler stands in an Oscar de la Renta gown after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. She carries a pink Judith Leiber clutch.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Claire Fluhr poses in vibrant purple Lela Rose gown near the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Claire Fluhr poses in vibrant purple Lela Rose gown near the entrance of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

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Athena Blackburn shows off the flowing sleeve of her Pierre Cardin gown on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.

Athena Blackburn shows off the flowing sleeve of her Pierre Cardin gown on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco after arriving at the San Francisco Opera's season opening ball on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014.